BRC fears Black and blue Friday

BUDGET COULD BE BRUISING FOR RETAIL

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SHOP bosses have hailed "solid" summer sales but warned of potential worries ahead.

Trade body the British Retail Consortium said retail sales grew 3.1% in August, boosted by the hot weather and another Bank of England rate cut.

But BRC chief executive, Helen Dickinson, added that the all-important run-up to Christmas was far from certain for retailers, with the Budget on November 26 coming just days before the Black Friday discounting event.

"Many are uneasy about how consumer confidence and spending could be impacted by tax rise speculation in the run-up to Christmas," she said.

"Government needs to shore up both consumer and business confidence.